British campaign group calls for action on protest law

The Burma Campaign UK today urged Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire to call in the Burmese ambassador to Britain to question him regarding why people are still being arrested under the so-called right to protest law in Burma according to a press release from the group dated 28 May.
The group also urged the Foreign Office Minister to demand the military-backed government to reform the Prisoners of Conscience Affairs Committee, and ensure the immediate release of Naw Ohn Hla and the remaining political prisoners in Burma.
Naw Ohn Hla is a former political prisoner and a leading member of the Democracy and Peace Women Network (DPWN), which campaigns for women's rights, equality, and democracy in Burma.
On 30th December 2014, Naw Ohn Hla and her fellow activists were arrested for protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in Rangoon. The protesters were urging the military-backed government in Burma to carry out the investigation into the death of Khin Win. Khin Win was shot dead on 22 December 2014 when police opened fire on her and other protesters who were protesting against land being taken over for the Chinese run Letpadaung copper mine project in Sagaing region.
“Naw Ohn Hla has been jailed numerous times simply for her peaceful political activities. There are many activists like her who still face arrest and harassment by Thein Sein’s government,” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “The government uses repressive laws to intimidate and jail political activists like Naw Ohn Hla. The issue of political prisoners will remain a big problem unless all repressive laws are repealed in the country.”